November 2007
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The shopping editor of Harper's Bazaar Dubai, unveils the trendiest fashion hotspots to find that quirkier buy
The national pastime in Dubai is shopping. After all, what better way to escape the heat, than in one of the many air-conditioned shopping malls? Dubai is a city built on trade and is a true paradise for someone who loves to shop till they drop - and remember it's all tax-free. The best time to come is during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), which takes place between December and February (dubaishoppingfestival.com).
Fashionistas might be better off heading to the Mall of the Emirates and especially to the Harvey Nichols store. The womenswear stocks favourites such as Alexander McQueen and Alberta Ferretti, but also check out the chic cuts of Middle Eastern designer Elie Tahari (elietahari.com). Upstairs, menswear has small but neat collections from Galliano and Gucci, with a large Ozwald Boateng boutique.
Emirates Towers (+971 4 330 0000, jumeirahemiratestowers.com) is a must on the shopping trail since it is home to Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Balenciaga and Cartier. But a real find is Boutique, a store full of some of the best collections in Dubai. Also look out for Elie Saab, the Lebanese designer whose sequined creations are loved by Middle Eastern women and Hollywood actresses alike.
For great interiors buys, check out The One, which is Dubai's equivalent of Habitat and can be found in most of the malls. Another great interiors stop is Singways in the Mall of the Emirates, with its upscale Italian pieces.
One of the most unusual shops in Wafi Mall is Memories with its handmade one-off items of furniture. While in Wafi, pay a visit to Tiger Lily and Ginger and Lace, two beautiful stores with edgy, quirkier women's fashion.
Another must-visit mall is Burjuman (burjuman.com), which has recently had a massive facelift. This is also one of the best places to buy jewellery by Van Cleef and Arpels and Chopard and Damas. Serious jewellery shoppers should head to Rivoli Visitors.
Don't miss Saks Fifth Avenue, a two-storey palace where you can indulge yourself in Manolo Blanhnik, Prada and Dolce and Gabbana.
But save some time for a tax-free shop at the Dubai Duty Free mall at International Airport's Sheikh Rashid Terminal. In terms of high-end purchases, it is here where the real savings are to be found.
Read more about Dubai in Welcome to Dubailand.
